Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund

On February 5, 2010, the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund is having a fundraising event called Wine in Winter. The Fund has secured over 35 restaurants, caterers and wine distributors to participate and the guest list as of now is looking like 450! Amazing! Check out www.dolanfund.org for more information. The Fund was started by Peggy and Joe Dolan who lost their daughter to leukemia in 1976. The mission is bold - to help families with severely sick kids through advocacy, education and financial assistance. Since inception the Fund has assisted over 17,000 families in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Peggy Dolan is a tireless advocate and has been able to promote her cause on a national level. I have been associated with the Fund since 1998.

First Post

Staring at the blank page before me....first entry. I am sitting at my kitchen table. Just put the kids to sleep (3 of them - 4 year old, 2 and a half year old and a 2 month old). For the first time in 15 years I am not thinking about working at the financial services company where I have been employed since I graduated college. Its been a great ride at a great company, but its time to go on an adventure. That adventure is exploring philanthropy. I am currently reading Kathy LeMay's book called The Generosity Plan. In her introduction she tells the story of how she stood in front of an audience and proclaimed herself a philanthropist. For many I think this is daunting. For those who have the resources, the responsibility to deploy and engage in a thoughtful and meaningful way can be difficult. Its my aim to create a positive experience for people just getting started and to take it a step further and focus on the results achieved.